Frequently Asked Questions

In a session, each person engages with a music therapist through music, such as through improvising, their favourite songs, singing, songwriting and other musical activities. Clients can interact and communicate with the music therapist, expressing their personalities, emotions and ideas however they want to – through instruments, voice and movement. The instruments used are accessible and can be played without any prior musical training. Family members may be present in sessions depending on the individual client’s needs and goals.

Music has a huge impact on our brains and bodies, allowing music therapists to work towards cognitive, emotional, developmental and physical goals. Regardless of age, illness, trauma or disability, we all have an innate response to music that both the client and therapist can work with towards the aims and goals of the therapy.

A music therapist is a skilled musician who has been trained - usually to a master’s degree standard - to use music to help develop a person’s potential, whatever their disability, diagnosis or difficulties. All music therapists in the UK need to be HCPC registered to work. The HCPC regulate professions such as clinical scientists, paramedics and psychologists.
Music therapists regularly research and publish scientific findings into journals, present at conferences and write books for example.

Music therapists document their sessions through both data collection and narrative documentation (clinical notes) which are recorded and reviewed. Sessions are also usually audio or video recorded. Progress reports are written, measuring achievement, change and development, and where appropriate, reassessing goals. Progress review meetings are available if appropriate, and carers or parents may be able to join in with sessions or be shown audio or video recordings to work towards the goals.

Our costs for sessions are available on the relevant pages in the ‘Services’ tab at the top of the page.

We never want financial concerns to prove a barrier to our service and we can work with families and organisation to help find a solution. We also offer a limited number of concession rates.
Individuals and families may be able to access therapy funding through their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), through the Pupil Premium Fund, their NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) budget or through music therapy charities and organisations such as BAMT and Jessies Fund or Macmillan.

Sessions are paid for in advanced and before the first session commences. The simplest way to pay is via online banking, but we also can accept cash. Instructions on how to pay can be found in our ‘terms and conditions - client agreement’ form.

As per our ‘terms and conditions- client agreement’ form, we require 24 hours notice for the cancellation of a session. If less than 24 hours is given, the session will still be charged at full price.
When the session is cancelled by PAL Music Therapy, there will be no charge and the therapist will make every effort to provide a make-up session at a later date.